Tributes have been paid to a private client solicitor who died suddenly last week. Lisa Whitehouse, a partner at Midlands firm Meridian and chair of the Birmingham STEP committee, died on 30 August. She was 49.

Jon Croxford, Meridian’s managing partner, said: ‘Lisa was a brilliant private client solicitor, held in high regard by all who knew her. She joined Meridian brimming with enthusiasm and, despite her time with Meridian being far too short, Lisa has made a lasting impact on the firm.

Lisa Whitehouse

Lisa Whitehouse

‘Her positivity, kindness and dedication were hugely admired, especially by those she supervised and mentored over the years. Lisa was similarly committed to her clients and brought a range of skills to her practice making her a true trusted adviser. She will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with all those who knew Lisa.’

The firm told the Gazette that law was a second career for Lisa, who previously worked in agriculture.

Lisa obtained her law degree from the University of Birmingham and went on to do her LPC at the College of Law, which she completed in 2008. She trained at Challinors Solicitors and spent three and a half years with the firm. She then moved to Higgs.

In July 2015, Lisa joined Anthony Collins Solicitors in Birmingham, based in the firm’s private client team. She was promoted to associate, then senior associate.

After relocating to Worcester, Lisa joined Harrison Clark Rickerbys as a partner in October 2021 before moving to Meridian in February this year.

A specialist private client lawyer recognised in the Legal 500, Meridian said Lisa enjoyed advising on various aspects of estate and succession planning, wealth protection, inheritance and capital gains tax planning, and administration of trusts and estates. She advised high-net worth individuals and families, worked on complex domicile claims, and advised executors and trustees appointed to administer difficult estates and trusts.

The firm said Lisa valued her clients. ‘They were always her first priority and she worked hard to provide them with the very best levels of service. She had great technical ability as well as the skillset to communicate effectively with clients.’

Lisa was a member of the STEP Birmingham committee for several years and appointed chair in April 2022. ‘As chair, her key priority was to boost engagement with junior practitioners and students to encourage their development in the profession,' Meridian said.

Lisa was shortlisted for the STEP Private Client Awards trusted adviser of the year 2023. (The ceremony is being held on 21 September.)

 

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